Henry Schein Animal Health, a giant among veterinary product distributors, will grow even larger upon the acquisition of Merritt Veterinary Supplies Inc.
The purchase was announced Aug. 28 by parent company Henry Schein Inc.
Merritt, based in Columbia, South Carolina, reported 2016 sales of $115 million to 4,500 veterinary clinics across the Eastern and Southeastern United States. Henry Schein Animal Health, which does business worldwide, had 2016 net sales of $3.3 billion.
The terms of the sale were not announced.
“The acquisition of Merritt Veterinary Supplies, one of the nation’s largest independent regional veterinary suppliers, will meaningfully add to the scale of our U.S. animal health business while reinforcing our existing animal health presence in the Eastern U.S.,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO of Henry Schein. “It also will benefit our animal health diagnostic, equipment and surgical instruments businesses, including Scil, Kruuse and Veterinary Instrumentation.”
Founded in 1938, Merritt employs 150 people and sells an array of products, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostic gear and veterinary equipment.
“Our customers will benefit from the broader geographical presence of Henry Schein’s distribution network as well as the company’s commitment to provide customers with the products and services they need to operate successful veterinary practices,” said Merritt’s president, Bobby Mims.
Henry Schein Animal Health, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2017.